Phæd. Keep my counsel, or I am undone for ever. [Holding up her hands to him.
Merc. No; I'll mortify thee, now I have an handle to thy iniquity, if thou wilt not love me.
Phæd. Well, if you'll promise me to be secret, I will love you; because indeed I dare do no other.
Merc. 'Tis a good girl; I will be secret: and, further, I will be assisting to thee in thy filching; for thou and I were born under the same planet.
Phæd. And we shall come to the same end too, I'm afraid.
Merc. No, no; since thou hast wit enough already to cozen a judge, thou needst never fear hanging.
Phæd. And will you make yourself a younger man, and be handsome too, and rich? for you, that know hearts, must needs know, that I shall never be constant to such an ugly old Sosia.
Merc. Thou shalt know more of that another time; in the mean while, here is a cast of my office for thee.
[He stamps upon the ground: some Dancers come from under-ground; and others from the sides of the Stage: a Song, and a fantastic Dance.
MERCURY'S SONG TO PHÆDRA.